Championing My Sisters

That title might sound like I'm championing a movement for declaring our rights as women. Well, yes, I am, in a sense. What I'm actually declaring is the power that God placed within us to be world changers and history makers. I am so blessed to be a leader for a beautiful group of women who have raised their hands and hearts to also be leaders who lead other women to follow in drawing closer to God. The closer we get to Him – the more like Him we become – loving, serving, giving.

It may seem I have an over-zealous desire to see my sisters become mighty warriors for God. Well, as a matter of fact, I do. I want to see us move from a state of complacency and weakness to “be strong in the Lord and the power of His might”. Ephesians 6:10. And, to be moving on up in our faith and determination to be more effective as faith-filled women in our homes, schools, workplaces and marketplaces. This world needs to see that in women -- to be dominant and ruling over the enemy of our souls who has deceived us and made us feel weak long enough.

I am one of you and if there's anything I desire to do, it's to be a role model who teaches, speaks, writes and who walks the walk and talks the talk of an empowered woman -- who is empowered by the ONE Who lives big in me. Trust me. I didn’t show up overnight with this zeal. It has grown exponentially in me – especially since the love of my life went to heaven. Right then, I knew if I yielded to my natural feelings, I would go underground to retreat from life. But, I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. I knew my mission had just begun. Truly, God loves women. He calls us and equips us. It's backed by God's Word. Just look at some of the Bible's women of faith who set the pace for us.

Besides Judge Deborah, Queen Esther, Ruth and Hannah in the Old Testament, in the New Testament is Elizabeth who recognized the Mother of our Lord, Mary who gave birth to the Messiah, and Anna who spoke about the Messiah to all who were looking for the redemption of Israel. When the time of His Passion drew near, Mary of Bethany anointed the feet of Jesus, Mary, our Lord's Mother, stood at the cross of Jesus, and Mary of Magdala who spoke with the risen Jesus and told His disciples, “I have seen the Lord”.

That sure makes me wanna’ jump up and shout: “I know Him and I’ve seen Him too, Mary!” He is alive and He is on the move in women’s hearts, filling us with His power, so we can tell a hurting, angry world about a loving, life-changing God.

My beautiful and precious Sisters-in-Christ (SIC) – scripture says we are a mighty throng. “The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng” (Psalm 68:11). Indeed we are. This is where everything begins: acknowledging that God alone is our source of strength. Let us proclaim our mighty Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as our champion! Indeed we are a mighty throng!

Starting the Day on the Right Track

"Think and Grow Rich" was one my husband's favorites. Actually, my husband was an unrelenting reader and proponent of motivational and inspiring books, sources and individuals. We raised our kids on the likes of this book, as well as Zig Ziglar's books, the Bible and many other noteworthy sources of positivity. I'm quite sure that, even of itself, is one of the reasons our two children turned out to be great sources of positivity and inspiration. Their never-give-up attitudes and being strong individuals of faith and tenacity has taken them far in the business world and in their personal lives.

So, I think you can see why this Nana loves visiting my kids in Texas -- now both sets living there -- in Frisco and Austin. On Thursday, just before I left Frisco for home, I was able to be a part of that morning's devotion and prayer time with them. Maybe it's a perk of being home-schooled that they are afforded the opportunity to start their day with an hour of solid training in those things that matter most. They have interactive readings and discussions. On that morning, we heard -- of all the success stories achieved by Napoleon Hill, none was more challenging nor more gratifying than teaching his son Blair, born without ears, to have 100% hearing. He had a never-quit attitude and trust in God. What a testimony of faith! Perhaps you need this example of faith to stir you today. You can read about it here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/jasjit-singh/no-ears-how-napoleon-hill-helped-his-son-blair-to-hear/322081944661711/

This Wallace Family is hit-the-ground-running, always on-the-go, turbo-charged, on mission and on target to be the best they can be in work, play and determined world changers. Their days are jammed full and once they leave that table....they are like other families -- full of busy schedules and lives. But their priorities are what matter most. They're making ginormous investments of time into their personal lives each day, at the start of that day.

I think God put it this way....."Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33. What if we all had a plan of seeking our CEO, Father God, each morning about this day? What if we all had a determined purpose to DOWNLOAD His wisdom, His character and His attributes into our day, at the beginning of each day? Imagine how our day just might run smoother, our relationships, kinder, our energies, higher, and our attitudes, sweeter, once we've had a little one-on-one with THE ONE who we desire to be like the most. I'm thinking that on-purpose "abiding in the vine" just might cause OUR FRUIT to be tasty, salty, and light -- all those qualities that will even draw others to the VINE.

It Made a Difference to That One!

Oftentimes, we tend to focus on what's wrong with others or what's wrong in our nation or what's wrong in our places of business. Isn't it time we do a self analysis about how we can be the influencer for CHANGE that impacts our world?

Sure there are the obvious world changers like Jesus Christ, Martin Luther King, President Ronald Reagan, Mother Teresa ...but what about the Mom & Dad who influence their kids for greatness, the volunteers at charitable organizations who daily touch people's lives, the grandparent who never ceases to pray for their family, and those who are willing to be the difference maker in someone who needs that extra word of encouragement and hope -- to not give up....TODAY?

One of the sweet ladies who attends my Life Group, was on her way to our meeting last week, but first stopped at the service station. As she went in, she saw a dissheveled young man sitting on the curb. She came out, and he was still there, and she passed him by. Almost to my house, she couldn't get that young man off her mind -- and had to turn around. She got to him and handed him all the cash she had with her, and said, "God bless you" and his reply, "No, God BLESS YOU!"

Seems like a tall order to be a world changer....but when we consider the effect we can make on one person's life, we can sure be their WORLD changer! We're counting on that act of kindness, by my friend -- to be the world CHANGER that young man needed. It's like the story of the old man throwing starfish back into the sea, and when asked "Old man, don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it! You can’t possibly save them all, you can’t even save one-tenth of them. In fact, even if you work all day, your efforts won’t make any difference at all.” The old man listened calmly and then bent down to pick up another starfish and threw it into the sea. “It made a difference to that one.”